How to Make Duct Tape Fabric
In order to master many duct tape crafts, you'll need to first learn how to make what we call "duct tape fabric." Once you've learned how to make a sheet of the durable material, you can then shape it into whatever you wish!
Unroll a strip of duct tape and place it sticky-side down on your surface. The length of your tape will dictate the length of your sheet of fabric, so keep that in mind as you lay down your first strip. Press and smooth the tape with your fingers so that there are no air bubbles or creases.
Slightly overlap your second strip of tape over the first. You second strip should be the same length as the first, but it's okay if they're not perfect! Press and smooth the tape with your fingers to remove any air bubbles or creases, and to ensure it's stuck firmly to the first strip.
Continue putting down overlapping strips of tape until you reach your desired width to the fabric sheet. If any of your strips are too short, there's an easy fix for that! Simply cut a second, small piece of duct tape...
... And use it as a patch for the gap.
Once you've laid down all the strips needed to make the sheet the size you want, your duct tape fabric should look something like this.
Starting from the outside edge of the first strip you've laid down, carefully peel the sheet up and away from your work surface. (You start at the end with the first strip because it will help to peel up the other strips; starting from the last strip you made could pull the strips apart!)
Flip the entire sheet over so that it is now sticky-side up.
Now you need to take more tape and use it to cover the sticky side. Starting at the edge, lay down strips of duct tape, sticky side to sticky side. You want these strips to be perpendicular to the first strips, to help hold everything together.
Continue laying down strips until the entire sheet is covered and there is no more stickiness to be seen! You can also alternate tapes to create a pattern or add more color!
When you're done, your sheet of duct tape fabric should look something like this.
To make the sides nice and even, and to get rid of any sticky, jagged edges that remain, cut the sides with your scissors, making nice, straight lines. If you're working on a specific project, here is where you would cut out your template if you have one.
Now you've got a beautiful, strong, and sticky-free sheet of duct tape fabric! Check out some of our duct tape crafts to see everything you can do with it!